Today is...Time to Meet Br'er Groundhog!
Are you READY for one of America's quirkiest holidays, Groundhog Day? Groundhog? Do you mean woodchuck, whistle-pig, or land-beaver? No? You say a groundhog is going to forecast the weather? What kind of folklore is that? Um-m-m-m-m? Let's look a little deeper into this weather hound.
The groundhog phenomenon traverses centuries of time shrouded in myths and legends centered around cultures and animals. This predictable tradition stems from European beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christmas. The Roman legions supposedly brought it to the Teutons, or Germans. They concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal, the hedgehog, would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of bad weather. Some would say this was interpolated as the length of the "Second Winter."
So, here we are in the 21st century, awaiting iconic news from a groundhog! Br'er Groundhog will be deciding the fate of winter tomorrow, February 2nd. Rise and shine for Phil will leave his burrow at 7:20 AM EST at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Click to See Phil live!
Okay, Punxsutawney Phil, since this is your 126th prognostication for the fate of winter, "How about an early spring!!"
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